Dinnertime Fun

Fun in the Tub

We started bathing the girls together now that Carly can sit up well. They both LOVE it. Maddie asks to take a bath with her sister every night and Carly gets really excited when I start filling up the tub. Very cute!

Cutie Patootie

Too Cool for School

Maddie sporting her Hollywood look with her new Summer shades.

Eric's Birthday

We celebrated Eric's 42nd birthday today with some low-key family time. We had breakfast at one of Eric's favorite restaurants and spent the afternoon playing with the girls.

Happy birthday, babe! Your girls love you very much!

Hugging it Out

Swinging taogether at Mueller Park:

Grandpa & Grandma Mahurin Visit

Grandpa and Grandma Mahurin visited us last week and we had a fun time. Maddie and Carly had a blast because they got lots of extra hugs and kisses and visited several popular places in Austin.

We took the Grandparents to the Children's museum, Zilker Park, and Mueller Park and had a big Texas-style BBQ at home. I think we tired them out!

Thanks for visiting us and BIG thanks for making the girls smile.

Carly turns 6 months old

Yesterday, Carly turned 6 months old. We visited the doctor for her well-check appointment today and everything looked great.

Our only complaint? Her sleeping habits. I think maybe we're holding her to too high of a standard that Maddie set with her love of sleeping. But, things are getting better with Carly. We're sleep training her a bit more strictly and although she cries a couple of times early in the evening, she usually only wakes once between midnight and 6am. Mommy and Daddy are pretty happy about that.

Stats:
Weight: 15.12 lbs (50%)
Height: 26 in (75%)
Head: 42 cm (5050

Things we want to remember about Carly at this age:

• Smiles and laughs and coos a lot. She's such a happy baby!


• Can sit up by herself but still topples over on occasion


• Still loves tummy time and will play on her tummy for a while before she wants to be in a new position


• Is very close to a full-on crawl. Right now, she scoots around and drags herself everywhere.


• Eyes are still a bluish color so we're curious to see if they'll turn green like Eric's or brown like Maddie's and mine or maybe another color.


• Carly adores her sister, Maddie, but isn't to fond of the daily headlocks Maddie puts her in.


• Has been pretty easy to run errands with so far. If she gets tired of being in her car seat and cries, as long as I hold her for a while, she's fine and loves to people watch.


• Has gotten over a lot of her attachment fears (i.e. crying when anyone but me held her)and I can now leave for for short periods with a sitter or in the gym daycare. Yay!


• Eats solid foods like a champ. So far, she has liked everything except green beans but I have a feeling she'll grow to like them. We're taking our time with solids and only feeding her solids once a day.


• Gives great big hugs and wraps her arms around my neck.


• Loves when Daddy and Mommy tickle her.


• Has two bottom teeth and one top one on its way.


• Wiggles her whole body and waves her arms when she's excited.


• Will not hold still for a diaper change.

Mother's Day 2011

What a wonderful day today has been. This morning, Eric and Maddie went to get me my favorite latte and a blueberry scone. I opened cards from Maddie that she'd created at school and one she and Eric had picked out together. Maddie also helped Eric pick out some lovely flowers and all four of us had lunch together at a restaurant called Mandolas, near our home. It's very kid-friendly (there's even a play-scape outside!), the food is delicious and the staff gave out roses to all Mommies. Then, we spent the afternoon at home relaxing.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!

Sweet Potatoes

We're on a roll! Carly liked rice cereal and loves sweet potatoes. I can't even believe how well she takes a spoon. It's like she's always known how to eat solid food. I'm pretty sure starting Maddie on solids was a bit more challenging.

Hopefully this pattern of good eating will continue.

I'm a Baby

Once in a while, Maddie decides that she wants to be a baby like Carly. I think she mostly does this so she can get away with using Carly's toys.

It's tough being the big sister all the time. :-)

Note: See if you can spot Carly in the background - off her blanket. She scoots all over the place these days. She's even just started to get up on her knees!

Sisters Playing in Mommy and Daddy's Room

Cheese!

Carly tries Rice Cereal

We fed Carly rice cereal for the first time yesterday. She loved it! She didn't make "yucky faces" and seemed to enjoy sitting in the high chair too.

Hopefully she'll be a great eater just like Maddie.

Cousin Fun

My brother, Mark, and his family visted us this past weekend. As always, we had so much fun watching the kids play together and practice sharing toys. :-)

Maddie loved seeing Mason and even asked for him Sunday during dinner. We had to explain that he'd gone back home but that we'd see them again soon. Carly got loads of attention and giggled all weekend.

Thanks for visiting us and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Maddie takes Mason for a walk:

Mason LOVES to walk:

Trio of Cousins:

Maddie and Mason play at Phil's Ice House: